Meet the Team

About John

If you want to learn all the formal stuff about who I worked for, where I went to school, and where I live, click here. But if you want to actually know more about me, it’s probably better to tell you what I believe. First, I believe I’m younger than I really am, but that’s neither here nor there. Second, I believe in working really hard with a sense of urgency, but I also believe in not letting the perfect become the enemy of the good. 

I believe in bringing as many viewpoints to the table as possible. I also believe that common ground can be found on most things - if you are intentional about it. I also believe that humor is the great equalizer.  Finally, and most importantly, I know that I don’t know everything, and never will. That’s why I always start every project with time to “listen and learn.”

 I also have the best wife and three adult children in the world (most of the time.) And if you ever need to find me on a fall Sunday, I can tell you where I’ll be: Section 525, Row C, Seat 25, Heinz Field.

I'm so Pittsburgh, my three favorite things include:

1. Giant Eagle Sheet Cake

2. Eat ‘ n Park breakfasts

3. Sunday afternoons in section 525, row C, seat 25 of Heinz Field!

About Charlie

When I’m not busy reminding John that he’s not, in fact, younger than he thinks, I spend my time developing and managing coalitions, refining communications plans, and standing in the back of group pictures in the Capitol Building.

Many of the projects nearest and dearest to my heart are related to mental and physical health. For instance, I served as the campaign lead for the #StrongMomStrongBaby coalition, an initiative to improve the supports available to infants and mothers impacted by postpartum depression.

As CSO, I’m also responsible for implementing our DCS strategic plan, ensuring client success, and copy-editing John’s “About Me” entry.

I’m originally from northern Kentucky, and would be happy to tell you (at length) why goetta is better than scrapple and why “y’all” is better than “yinz.” Pierogies though...y’all got us beat there.

Three things in Pittsburgh you should be eating right now:

1. Coconut milk vermicelli noodles from Tram's Kitchen

2. White pizza from Spak Brothers

3. The sliced pork belly at Chengdu Gourmet

About Anna

Don’t let John and Charlie’s rambling about food in their bios fool you — there is no other team working as hard for their clients and their community as Denny Civic Solutions. The atmosphere of our DCS office is always filled with new ideas, advocacy planning, and brainstorming how to meet and exceed the goals our clients aim to achieve.

Previous to DCS, I honed my writing and editing skill set while working on Carlow University’s Critical Point, devoured literature from Emerson to Kendi, demonstrated on the grass of the National Mall, and danced with the Rankin Junior Tamburitzans from ages 10-14. In their own way, each of these has helped shape me and inform my role as Director of Strategic Communications and Client Services.

If I am not hooked up to the caffeine monster in the DCS office, I am most likely with my sister at a local (or not so local) brewery - quality checking the craft, playing with my seven year old mini aussie Khali, or traveling to a derby game. 

My three (current) brewery favorites: 

1. Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver, Colorado

2. New Belgium Brewery in Asheville, North Carolina

3. Wayward Owl Brewing Company in New Orleans, Louisiana

About DARYA

As social media strategist, my job goes beyond telling John that geofencing isn’t the solution to every single social media challenge. It also means I work with clients to build and implement their social strategy; provide graphic design for critical civic campaign materials; and blend current digital best practices with good ol’ fashioned grassroots advocacy (which, yes, sometimes means doing some geofencing).

Born and raised in Northern Virginia, I am a passionate advocate for universal healthcare, women's bodily autonomy, judicial accountability, immigration, and more. Previous to DCS, I worked as the Director of Public Relations for Carnegie Mellon’s Frame Gallery, then as Digital Marketing Coordinator for the Pittsburgh City Paper. I also helped register thousands of students to vote as part of NextGen America’s NextGen Rising fellowship program. In addition, I’ve been a part of leadership in many of Carnegie Mellon’s student orgs, including WRCT 88.3FM, CMU Against ICE, and Call to Action CMU. 

In my free time, I enjoy foraging, cooking, spending time with my chunky calico cat Sasha, and courtroom sketching.

My three favorite Pittsburgh-area fixtures:

1. Emerald View Park (can’t beat that view, and those berries!)

2. The Westinghouse Atom Smasher

3. APTEKA. Need I say more?

In my role, I don’t just make social media content that sings – I help clients build the right strategy to ensure followers see it, engage with it…and take action.

And speaking of singing – when I’m not posting about our latest client successes, or snapping a photo of you during an event, you can typically find me listening to music (that, and scouring any and all movie recommendation lists, or playing some nerdy card deck-building game)!

Nigerian-born and American-raised, I have seen a broad range of cultures, met various communities, and heard diverse stories from people from all walks of life, bringing a unique perspective to any work I do. 

Prior to DCS, I gained key social media experience during my role as Visual Communications Designer and Social Media Strategist at the University of Michigan’s CREATE Center. I am passionate about all forms of storytelling, and am dedicated to creating social media content that is meaningful and memorable.

Finally (rounding out that “singing” theme)...here are my three current favorite live music venues in Pittsburgh:

• Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall

• Mr. Smalls (Millvale)

• MCG Jazz

About Donna

It’s not often that you get to collaborate with someone who brings not only incredible experience, knowledge, and intuition to a professional relationship, but also dedication, care, and a whole lot of compassion. Amazingly, we’ve found someone fitting that exact bill to partner with on dozens of projects over the past few years. Denny Civic Solutions is blessed to count Donna Malpezzi and her firm DMMConsulting, as not only an invaluable resource and regular ally, but also as a friend.

If you’ve ever had any involvement with Pennsylvania State Government, chances are you’ve heard of (or worked with) Donna. Maybe it was when she served as legal counsel in Governor Dick Thornburgh’s administration. Or it could have been during her thirty years as Chief Legal Counsel to the State Senate Majority Leaders’ Office. Spanning three different Majority Leaders, Donna was often the point person on important issues like MCARE, or expanding CHIP, negotiating with various administrations, or helping bring dozens of state budgets to ground. When someone needed well-conceived and well-drafted legislation that achieved the stated goal in the most effective manner, Donna often took the lead.

Now, Donna has started working on the other side of the table, bringing her wealth of experience and knowledge to various community-based causes and initiatives. Whether it is developing strong public policy for foundations, writing legislation to protect premature babies, helping the (too-often forgotten) children of incarcerated parents, or developing legislative strategy to assist working families, Donna has been an invaluable partner with Denny Civic Solutions.

During the rare moments she’s not hard at work, she spends her time taking on all comers at bridge, and being the proudest grandma in the world to little McKenna.

About Wendi

Wendi is a seasoned elected official and accomplished business leader, driven by the belief that proactive solutions are the key. With a firm commitment to the philosophy that “if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem,” Wendi is honored to bring her wealth of experience and dedication to Denny Solutions, collaborating with a team of seasoned professionals who share her passion for getting things done. 

During her tenure as a Pennsylvania State Representative, Wendi demonstrated the ability to bring stakeholders together and navigate complex political landscapes. She worked on several committees, including Insurance and Professional Licensure; she was appointed to several task forces/commissions including the Economic Recovery Task Force and America250PA. Wendi also co-chaired the Mental Health Caucus.

Wendi’s dedication to legislative initiatives earned her national recognition as a Legislative Champion by Mental Health America. Additionally, Wendi was appointed to the National Council of Insurance Legislators as the Pennsylvania Representative.

Prior to her legislative career, Wendi held leadership positions in the private sector, specializing in health insurance and employee benefit advocacy. She built Account Management/Sales teams, forged partnerships with major national employers, and helped transform a small company into a national leader in improving employee benefits.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Wendi has dedicated over a decade of service to her local community as a member of the School Board of Directors.

Outside of work, Wendi loves traveling, long walks, and spending time with her family.

About Meg

Meg is the former Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (April 2021-January 2023), and former Secretary of Policy and Planning to Governor Tom Wolf during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She works at the intersection of government and the people it serves to identify solutions that address the impact of poverty, housing insecurity, mental and physical health challenges, and disparities based in race, circumstance, and income.

Meg draws on more than 20 years of experience at almost every level in government and the nonprofit sector working to improve the lives of vulnerable people.

In February 2023, Meg founded MCS Strategies, a government relations and public policy consulting practice with the goal of bringing together health care systems, providers, and elected officials to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and scale programs that address the social determinants of health that prevent so many people from thriving.

Meg has a bachelor’s in government from the University of South Carolina and a master’s in political science from the University of Colorado.

She is also active in her community, serving on the board of Montgomery County’s Continuum of Care, Your Way Home, since 2021.

Considering themselves the most over-prepared, under-skilled outdoorsy family they know, Meg can usually be found outside with her husband and two girls or sneaking off to water a growing mountain of plants.

About Kelley

Kelley is an experienced communications consultant who shapes and advances strategy, with a focus on powerful storytelling and measurable goals.  

Her work supports the vision and brand positioning of clients through media relations, crisis communications and media training, corporate communications, advocacy and government relations, corporate social responsibility and executive visibility/thought leadership.

Kelley began her career working as a press secretary for a state senator, a gubernatorial candidate, several political campaigns, and a member of Congress.  She was a member of a six-person press team for a presidential re-election campaign.  

Following her political work, Kelley grew her communications expertise by working with a diverse list of clients during lengthy stints with Ketchum Public Relations, Burson-Marsteller (BCW Global), and Bravo Group, in addition to co-owning prWerks Public Relations.  

Kelley has expertise in building press operations from ground zero and has worked with international clients facing complex challenges. She has media-trained professional athletes, managed crisis initiatives, led product launches, and managed senior care facility closures and acquisitions as well as media campaigns in support of fundraising. 

A true storyteller, Kelley remains endlessly thrilled by the prospect of a challenging media pitch or delicate crisis project.

Beyond work, Kelley is a planning addict who likes hot yoga, travel and is a huge fan of her three children and husband John, who is far more folksy than she is. And yes, they did meet on a political campaign and survive the experience of creating and owning a bed and breakfast.